Reaching For It

Daredevil dancers punctuate a festival in Venice Beach; untethered puppets improv in Culver City; contemporary choreographers congregate in the Arts District; tap dancer confab’s final flourishes in Huntington Beach; al fresco dancers salsa downtown; more SoCal dance this week, and a peek at what’s coming next week.

Live This Week

Watch this space

Presented by the collective known as The Space, the 2nd Annual Performance Lab, has recruited a number of notable LA-based choreographers and creatives for two live performances. Announced participants include Jobel Medina, Mike Tyus & Co., Luca Renza, Majella Bess, Jennifer Rose, Madison Lucas with Ella Melideo, and Megan Doheny with Ilya Nikurov. The evenings include a video installation, music, drinks and food. LA Dance Project Studios, 2245 E. Washington Blvd., Downtown Arts District; Fri.-Sat., July 11-12, 7 pm, $30-$40. The Space

 
Do you dare?
Boasting 25 different performances presented at various times over two days, the Daredevil Arts Festival offers a marathon sampling of LA creators. Presented by the Electric Lodge to showcase the range of LA’s vibrant arts and culture, the line up includes numerous dance performers, including some recently on view at the Dance at the Odyssey festival. Food and music are offered to help audience members catch their breath in between shows. Details on performers and times at the website. Electric Lodge, 1614 Electric Ave., Venice; Sat.-Sun., July 12-13, various times, $16.74 or $99 festival pass. Daredevil Arts Festival

 
When puppets improv

The son of Muppets creator Jim Henson, takes his dad’s puppet concepts into a cast of MISKREANT puppets, crosses them with The Groundlings-style improv, adds a large dose of uncensored Avenue Q sensibility, then puts the brew into the hands of masterful Henson Company puppeteers. The result is Brian Henson Presents – Puppet Up! Uncensored. Each distinctive show includes improv driven by audience suggestions along with recreated classic Henson sketches, some not seen in decades. Recommended for age 16 and older (actually those under age 16 are not admitted). Center Theatre Group at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City; opens Wed., July 16, then Wed-Fri., 8 pm, Sat., 4 & 8 pm, Sun., 3 & 7 pm thru Sun., July 27. $40.25-$176. Puppet Up!

 
To give peace a chance

In November, New Zealand hosts the International Peace Research Association (IPRA) biennial conference and SoCal-based Re:born Dance Interactive has been invited to attend and perform. Under the banner, Dance for Peace, the company hosts a gala to help fund getting to the conference, with a performance, silent auction, and refreshments. Academy of Dance, 2431 N. Tustin Ave., #Q, Santa Ana; Sat., July 12, 7 pm, $75. Events | Reborn Arts

 
An imagined circus

Set in an imagined 1885, the Circus of Worldly Wonders, a Steampunk Ballet  from Leigh Purtill Ballet Company is populated with mechanically-enhanced swans, magicians, and other family-friendly circus acts. Landerman, Auditorium, 4491 Cornishon Ave., La Canada-Flntridge; Sat., July 12, 7 pm, Sun., July 13, 4 pm, $33.85-$44.52. Leigh Purtill

 
Step in time

In addition to workshops and chance to socialize with other tappers, the Orange County Tap Fest has a Thursday jam session, a student showcase on Friday, and two performances with an impressive line-up of pros on Saturday and Sunday. Details on performers, time and prices at the website. Shorebreak Hotel, 500 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach; Wed., July 9-Sun., July 13, various times and prices. https://www.octapfestival.com/schedule

 
Summer dancing

Part performance, part participatory event, the free, al fresco summer series Dance DTLA continues its weekly summer season with Salsa with Leslie Ferreira. A beginner/refresher lesson at 7 pm is followed by a chance to dance or just watch and enjoy until 11 pm. If this week is not your style, the full line up of upcoming dance options is at the website. Music Center, Jerry Moss Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Fri., July 11, 7 pm, free. Music Center | Dance DTLA.

 
Shakespeare moves

Adapter, director and choreographer John Farmanesh–Bocca returns with Lear Redux: A Quantum Fantasia, the latest in his “Redux” series boldly reconsidering the classics. The event also reunites him with choreographic collaborators Not Man Apart-Physical Theatre Ensemble along with New American Theatre and the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble. Jack Stehlin tackles the part of King Lear, surrounded by Eve Danzeisen, Dennis Gersten, Dash Pepin, Jade Sealey, Ahkei Togun, and Emily Yetter. The Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., WLA; Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm, thru Sun., July 13, $20-$43. Odyssey Theatre Ensemble

A Peek at Next Week   (July 18-24)

San Francisco Ballet with LA Phil at the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood; Fri.-Sat., July 18-19, 8 pm, $18-$237. Hollywood Bowl

American Ballet Theatre – Giselle at Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Thurs.- Fri., July 24-25, 7:30 pm, Sat., July 26, 2 & 7:30 pm, Sun., July 27, 1 pm, $55.37 to $190.97. American Ballet Theatre

 
Pasión Flamenco & Tango at Electric Lodge,  1416 electric Ave., Venice; Sun., July 20, 3 pm, $30.  Pasion Flamenco & Tango

TAIKOPROJECT – 25th Anniversary Celebration at Disney Hall, Music Center, 111 S. Grand Ave., Downtown; Sat., July 19, 7 pm, $35-$125. TaikoProject

Dance DTLA – Cumbia at the Music Center, Jerry Moss Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., Downtown; Fri., July 18, 7 pm, free. Music Center | Dance DTLA.

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Featured image:  Psychopomp – courtesy of the artists

Ann Haskins’ Blog appears at CulturalDaily.com